Slovakia scored a goal with less than two minutes remaining in the first period to tie the game at 2-2. However, Peter Cehárik quickly regained the lead for the U.S. just 4:10 into the second period with a wraparound goal assisted by Matthew Kessel and Luke Hughes.
Brady Tkachuk later extended the U.S. lead to 4-2 in the third period with a goal assisted by Luke Hughes and Trevor Zegras. Smith then scored to make it 5-2, helped by Boldy and Gaudreau. Kevin Hayes finished off the scoring with an empty-net goal, securing a 6-2 victory for Team USA.
Goaltender Alex Lyon made 17 saves on 19 shots in the first two periods, while Trey Augustine made four saves in the final period. The U.S. Men’s National Team will begin their play in the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship against Sweden in Ostrava, Czechia. All Team USA games will be broadcasted live on NHL Network.
Matt Boldy was awarded Team USA’s Player of the Game and the team had a 1-2 power play advantage during the match against Slovakia where they outshot them 31-23 in total shots fired throughout
